Kraken vs Wild Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Back the Low-Scoring Matchup Trends

Mondya's NHL action gives us a Western Conference tilt between the Minnesota Wild and Seattle Kraken.

Low-scoring affairs are typically in-store when these two clubs square off, with six or fewer total goals scored in four of the five all-time meetings.

Will strong defense and goaltending play a big role once again, or will we see a surge in scoring? Find out in our free NHL picks and predictions for Kraken vs. Wild on Monday, March 27.

Kraken vs Wild best odds

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Kraken vs Wild picks and predictions

Once again, the Minnesota Wild under head coach Dean Evason serve as one of the best Under teams in hockey. It's not shocking that with Evason’s defense-minded systems, the Under is 41-30 for Minnesota this season.

Boasting elite defensive play, the Wild rank second in the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) at 5-on-5. Backing up this defensively-dominant team is goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, who is slated to start between the pipes on Monday.

Putting together a strong campaign, Fleury is 23-13-4 with a .907 save percentage (SV%) and 2.85 goals against average (GAA) through 42 appearances in the crease. Among starting goaltenders, he ranks in the top half of the league in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx/60) at 5-on-5.

Entering this contest in particularly dominant form, Fleury is 7-0-1 with a .929 SV% and 2.34 GAA over his last eight starts. However, goal support may be an issue for Fleury.

At 5-on-5 this season, Minnesota ranks just 23rd in the league in expected goals per 60 minutes (xGF/60). To make matters worse, superstar winger Kirill Kaprizov remains sidelined with a lower-body injury. Meanwhile, the Seattle Kraken play a similar style to the Wild.

A defensively gritty team that is difficult to play against with their sandpaper style, the Kraken rank eighth in the league in xGA/60 at 5-on-5. With that said, unsustainable offensive results are the primary reason for Seattle’s 40-24-8 record.

At 5-on-5, the Kraken rank second in the league in GF/60 but just 20th in xGF/60. That expected regression could easily come to fruition against the defensively stellar Wild, who have held Seattle to an average of just 2.6 goals scored per game across their five meetings.

My best bet: Under 6 (-120 at BetRivers)

Kraken vs Wild moneyline analysis

I would lean towards backing the Kraken at plus money, but the price is not attractive enough to pull the trigger. At the time of writing, Seattle sits at +110 on the moneyline while Minnesota returns at -134.

These teams are relatively even, with the Kraken boasting the advantage offensively and the Wild possessing the better defense and goaltender.

My biggest concern with Minnesota in this contest is the absence of Kirill Kaprizov, who's essential to how this offense operates as he acts as the primary puck carrier, facilitator, and scorer when he's on the ice.

In his absence, the Wild have gone 5-1-2. However, the only win against a playoff team over that stretch came against the Devils in overtime.

Some guys are stepping up massively in Kaprizov’s absence, such as winger Matt Boldy, who has registered eight goals and four assists across the eight games without Kaprizov. The sustainability of this increased play remains to be seen.

Kraken vs Wild Over/Under analysis

At this point in the season, we know who the Wild are. Just like last season, they are an elite defensive team that's now backed by a stellar goaltender and an inefficient offense.

The bigger concern in taking the Under is Seattle’s play, a team that has some question marks. One of these concerns is whether or not the expected regression for the Kraken offense finally registers.

Going against one of the best defenses and goaltenders in the league, it wouldn't be shocking at all if this is the contest where things go stale for Seattle’s offense. The other concern for the Kraken is goaltending, specifically with Philipp Grubauer, who's projected to start in the crease on Monday.

Once again going through a tough season, perhaps Grubauer can ride his recent momentum for a better performance against the Kaprizov-less Minnesota offense.

Over his last nine appearances between the pipes, Grubauer is 6-1-1, including a big win over the Avalanche, a game in which he stopped 21 of 23 pucks for a .913 SV% en route to a 3-2 overtime victory.

Kraken vs Wild betting trend to know

There have been six or fewer total goals scored in four of the five all-time meetings between these two clubs. Find more NHL betting trends for Kraken vs Wild.

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